Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Sheikh Qassim: No one should expect us to make peace or surrender
Sheikh Qassem: Anyone demanding disarmament today is effectively calling for handing over weapons to 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: We will not accept that Lebanon be annexed to 'Israel' even if the whole world unites for this, and we will not accept that it be taken hostage as long as there is a single living soul among us
Sheikh Qassem: Lebanon is facing an existential threat involving all its sects and regions
Sheikh Qassem: The continued occupation of the five sites is a prelude to expansion, and this is the plan that is sought to be achieved by stripping Lebanon of its power
Sheikh Qassem: Tom Barrack was surprised that the official Lebanese position was unified on the necessity of stopping the aggression before discussing the issue of weapons
Sheikh Qassem: Former US envoy Hochstein gave a clear guarantee regarding 'Israel's' commitment to implementing the agreement
Sheikh Qassem: The issue of the resistance's weapons is purely a Lebanese affair and the Israeli enemy has nothing to do with it, neither directly nor indirectly
Sheikh Qassem: We do not prioritize any course over the other
Sheikh Qassem: Hezbollah is operating along two tracks: the resistance, which is exclusively to confront 'Israel', and the political track within the framework of building the state

UK, EU reset post-Brexit relations with defense and trade pact

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 19 May 2025 15:57
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The UK and EU sign a landmark post-Brexit deal to deepen defense ties and ease trade, marking a reset in relations amid rising geopolitical uncertainty.

Listen
  • x
  • Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) poses with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the UK-EU Summit at Lancaster House in London on May 19, 2025. (Pool/AFP)
    Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) poses with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the UK-EU Summit at Lancaster House in London on May 19, 2025. (Pool/AFP)

The United Kingdom and the European Union reached a sweeping new agreement on Monday to strengthen defense cooperation, reduce trade friction, and formally reset relations five years after Brexit, launching what leaders called a “new era” of strategic partnership.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who hosted the summit in London, described the accord as a chance to deliver “real, tangible benefits” for the UK, including lower energy costs, job creation, and enhanced border protection.

“We are agreeing a new strategic partnership fit for our times,” Starmer said.
 
The highlight of the deal is a newly signed Security and Defence Partnership, which paves the way for deeper coordination on foreign policy, intelligence sharing, and the potential for the UK to rejoin select EU military missions. The agreement may also allow Britain access to the EU’s planned €150 billion defense fund, though details remain to be finalized.

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the outcome, calling it “a big day” for EU-UK relations.

“We are now turning the page and opening a new chapter… In these times of rising geopolitical tensions, we are like-minded. We share values,” she said. 

Related News

Palestine Action wins bid to defy UK ban under anti-terrorism laws

Situation in Gaza 'reached new depths, continuing to worsen': Starmer

Trade relief in exchange for fishing rights

On the economic front, the deal eases customs checks on British exports to the EU, particularly food and plant products, in exchange for the UK extending EU fishing rights in British waters until June 2038.

According to Downing Street, the trade provisions are expected to add nearly £9 billion ($12 billion) to the UK economy by 2040. The agreement means most cross-border shipments of animals and plant products will no longer require certification or inspections.

The agreement marks a sharp departure from the Conservative Party’s hardline Brexit posture, with Starmer’s Labour government seeking to repair strained EU ties without rejoining the customs union. Still, Starmer is walking a political tightrope, facing pushback from the right, including accusations from Conservatives that the deal amounts to a “surrender.”

Two other documents were also signed: a joint declaration of European solidarity and a Common Understanding outlining cooperation on youth mobility, trade, and migration. On youth mobility, negotiators have committed to developing a reciprocal scheme for 18- to 30-year-olds to work and study in each other’s countries, with details yet to be finalized.

The renewed UK-EU partnership arrives at a crucial moment for Europe, as fears grow over the security threat from Russia and a potential US withdrawal from NATO commitments under Donald Trump. While some aspects of the defense partnership remain vague, EU leaders view the deal as a first step toward more structured security coordination with London.

Starmer also reaffirmed his opposition to restoring full freedom of movement, but is open to limited arrangements, such as youth visas, amid domestic pressure over irregular migration and the rise of Nigel Farage’s far-right Reform UK party.

  • Britain
  • Ursula von der Leyen
  • Brexit
  • Keir Starmer
  • EU
  • UK
  • United Kingdom
  • European Union

Most Read

Given ample indications Epstein was collating sexual blackmail material on powerful figures for intelligence agencies, comments made by Mirage's cofounder to Ynet take on a chilling character. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Zionist spies innovate AI sexual blackmail tech

  • Analysis
  • 27 Jul 2025
Houthi supporters display a giant Palestinian flag during a weekly anti-US and anti-'Israel' rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday March, 28, 2025 (AP)

Open borders so Yemenis march by hundreds of thousands: Al-Houthi

  • Politics
  • 24 Jul 2025
Lebanese Freedom Fighter Georges Abdallah, who was serving a life in Paris, speaks to supporters upon his arrival at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, July 25, 2025 (AP)

With resistance, road home is never lost: Georges Abdallah from Beirut

  • Politics
  • 25 Jul 2025
A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Lawmakers attend a session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in occupied al-Quds, Monday, July 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Tensions erupt between Smotrich and army chief over Gaza strategy

The spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, giving a statement on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
Politics

Yemen targets Ben Gurion Airport in defense of Gaza

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrives for the EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting at the EU Council building in Brussels, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' summons Dutch ambassador over Amsterdam's ban on ministers

Palestinians collect aid that landed in the Mediterranean Sea after being airdropped over central Gaza, at the shore of Zawaida, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli plans to annex Gaza illegal under international law: Norway

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS